[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Bullying]
Following the news that former AOA leader Shin Jimin used to bully fellow former member Mina, netizens unearthed an old video that could have hinted at Jimin's behavior.
The video is a clip from the "4 Things Show," in which the AOA members appeared together to talk about Jimin. One of the questions asked how Jimin was as a leader, to which Choa replied that the group is always told they appear to be really close, and it's all thanks to Jimin's leadership. "Whenever we go to the shop or anywhere together, we always hear people say that AOA really has a close friendship. I think that has a lot to do with Jimin's leadership."
Choa continued to explain why she thought so, saying that Jimin listened to her members well. "All of the younger members are kind and Jimin took very good care of them and listened to what each and every member had to say. So, Jimin is the best leader!" The other members can be seen nodding and agreeing.
However, she ended by saying, "If we don't phrase it like this, Jimin will surely beat us up." She appeared to have meant it as a joke, holding onto Jimin's arm. The other members around them also laughed, and Jimin jokingly started punching her palm, as if threatening to beat someone up.
Mina can also be seen next to Jimin, but she does not say anything in the video. Instead, she just smiles and laughs along with the other members.
Once the video had resurfaced, netizens wondered if Choa was actually telling the truth and that Jimin had threatened the girls to only say good things about her. Many wondered if Choa was subtly trying to hint that Jimin had a habit of getting violent with the girls. People also wondered if they bullied Choa as they did Mina, and dubbed Jimin as a "gangster."
Watch the video below.
Mina revealed that she left AOA due to the bullying she received by a member, who she did not name at first. Jimin then posted the word "Fiction" on her Instagram Story, causing Mina to reveal it was her and that she endured a lot during her time with the group.
Mina also revealed that when her father passed away, she made sure she could complete activities and not ruin the mood of the group as not to anger Jimin. But when it was the latter's father who died, all activities were canceled and her family had the VIP room.
AOA members and their manager went on to visit Mina. There, Jimin allegedly threatened to kill herself and then gave an insincere apology, per Mina's words. Jimin then went on Instagram to say she apologized and begged to say sorry, to which Mina responded that she did not truly apologize and instead gaslighted her by saying she does not recall any of the bullyings. Mina further said that all of the people at her house sided with Jimin.
FNC Entertainment eventually announced that Jimin departed from the group and the entertainment industry.
